bit of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small piece or portion of a substance or content, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I found a bit of material that would be perfect for the project we are working on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

So I have quite a bit of material.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I can't really think of a bit of material by him.

The Guardian

It just takes a little bit of material to assemble a decent father cycle".

The New Yorker

Members of the bomb squad examined every charred bit of material taken from the. water‐filled hole where the building once stood.

The New York Times

Like the 17-character identification number, each bit of material from the car or its insides will be traced to divine its provenance, investigators said.

The New York Times

There's still no joy like a new bit of material that you didn't think would work, then goes over really well live.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In 3D printing technology, fabbers cross over to making physical products, building with bits of material in place of pixels.

The Guardian

It's as if there are ribbons of differently cut bits of material running through it, which is a little reminiscent of Stravinsky".

The Guardian - Music

He composed his score in what he calls "unitary bits of material", each attached to a theme, character or idea, and each alive to further development.

The Guardian

The other suggests they arose in a two-stage process called core accretion, in which bits of material smashed and fused together to form bigger rocky, icy bodies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When working with bits of material smaller than 100 nanometers, researchers found that the process damaged the material's surface, interfering with its capacity to efficiently store and retrieve data.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects or substances, use "bit of material" to refer to a small piece or quantity of it. For example, "The scientist examined a bit of material under the microscope."

Common error

Avoid using "bit of material" in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more precise and technical terms to maintain a professional tone. For instance, instead of "bit of material", consider "sample", "specimen", or "component".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of material" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes a small portion or piece of something, which can be either a physical substance or a component of information. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts from comedy to science.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bit of material" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a small portion or piece of something, whether physical or informational. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, although its register leans towards neutral to informal. It frequently appears in news, academic, and science contexts. While "bit of material" is useful in many situations, formal writing may benefit from more precise terms like "sample", "specimen", or "data", depending on the context. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and appropriately employ the phrase in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small piece of content

Replaces "bit" with "small piece" and "material" with "content", focusing on information.

small portion of stuff

Substitutes "bit" and "material" with more informal synonyms, making the phrase more casual.

little amount of data

Replaces "bit" with "little amount" and "material" with "data", specifying the type of material.

fragment of information

Uses "fragment" to emphasize incompleteness and "information" to specify the type of material.

scrap of evidence

Emphasizes the evidentiary nature of the material, changing the noun to "evidence".

portion of the resource

Replaces "bit" with "portion" and "material" with "resource", sounding more formal.

segment of text

Specifies that the "material" is textual, which limits it to written information.

element of the substance

Uses a more technical vocabulary to describe a component of a larger whole.

iota of detail

Emphasizes the smallness of the amount and specifies it as a "detail".

modicum of stuff

Replaces "bit" with "modicum" to indicate a small but sufficient amount, and "material" with more informal synonyms.

FAQs

How can I use "bit of material" in a sentence?

You can use "bit of material" to describe a small piece of something tangible, like "The detective found a "scrap of fabric" at the crime scene", or to refer to a small amount of information, such as "That article provided a "piece of information" I didn't know before".

What phrases can I use instead of "bit of material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "small amount of stuff", "piece of content", "fragment of information", or "portion of the resource".

Is it appropriate to use "bit of material" in a formal context?

While "bit of material" is generally acceptable, it can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider more precise terms like "sample", "specimen", or "component" for physical materials, or "data", "evidence", or "information" for informational content.

What is the difference between "bit of material" and "chunk of material"?

"Bit of material" generally refers to a small, often insignificant amount or piece. "Chunk of material" implies a larger, more substantial piece or amount. The choice depends on the quantity or size you want to convey.